HOF coach Doc Rivers out in Milwaukee. Is Giannis

The NBA common season ended Sunday and the first order of business for groups that fell short of making the playoffs was to consider their head coach. Hall of Famer Doc Rivers wasn’t spared the scrutiny.

He agreed to depart from the Milwaukee Bucks after profitable 16 fewer video games this season than last. Rivers has one yr remaining on the $40-million contract he signed in January 2024 and can be paid for the ultimate season.

The Bucks had been 32-50 this season largely because famous person Giannis Antetokounmpo performed in only 36 video games because of accidents. Antetokounmpo, who expressed frustration speaking to reporters Sunday, is likely to be next out the door.

If so, the Lakers undoubtedly would have an interest. They are projected to have about $60 million in salary-cap space and three first-round draft picks they will use — 2026, 2031 and 2033 — to strive to make a deal this offseason.

Despite his insistence that he was healthy pretty soon after he suffered a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise March 15, Antetokounmpo didn’t play in the last 15 video games of the season.

“To my understanding, I had to play three-on-three to be able to be available to play,” he said. “I did that multiple times. I’ve never in my life denied participation of practice. Whoever came up with that is disrespectful toward what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself.”

The determination was probably made to make sure the commerce worth of the two-time most helpful participant wasn’t diminished by another injury. Antetokounmpo, 31, is under contract for 2026-2027 and has a participant option of $62.7 million for 2027-28.

The Lakers — and other commerce companions — can be more than prepared to give him an extension. The contracts of LeBron James ($52.6 million), Rui Hachimura ($18 million) and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) expire after this season, giving the Lakers the money to toss in Antetokounmpo’s direction.

The Bucks floundered without him and the coach paid the price. Rivers, 64, hadn’t had a dropping full season since 2006-2007, a span that included an NBA title with Boston in 2007-2008, seven seasons with the Clippers and three with the Philadelphia 76ers.

“I have truly loved my time in Milwaukee,” said Rivers, who performed school basketball at Marquette. “Coming back to where I got my start, to a city that has always embraced me, has been a privilege. I am disappointed that things did not turn out the way any of us hoped, but I am deeply grateful for this experience, the relationships built, and unwavering support from our fans and the community.”

Rivers started teaching after a 13-year NBA taking part in profession and has a 1,194-866 document (.580) with 5 groups across 27 seasons. His regular-season wins are the sixth most in NBA historical past and he can be enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this yr.

The Bucks mentioned with him an advisory position in the group, but Rivers is taking his time deciding what to do next. Asked how long he envisions teaching, Rivers talked about his grandchildren.

“I won’t answer that, but I have grandkids that I want to see,” Rivers told reporters. “I’ll let you figure it out from there. I have seven grandkids now, and they’re all 8 years and under, and it kills me every time I miss grandparents day with each one of them in school. It’s probably time to go see them more, so I’ll let you figure out the rest.”

His seven consecutive profitable seasons with the Clippers are half of the franchise’s current streak of 15 consecutive seasons with a profitable document, the longest energetic run in the NBA and fourth-longest in league historical past.

Other NBA coaches on the recent seat embrace Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic and Brian Keefe of the Washington Wizards. Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter also is likely to be changed.

Splitter took over for Chauncey Billups, who has pleaded not guilty to prices he profited from rigged poker video games involving a number of Mafia figures and at least one other ex-NBA participant.